Current Development Status of Forest Therapy in China.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Preventive Medicine
• Urban Ecology

Background:

• Urbanization and urban sprawl lead to shrinking natural ecosystems, negatively impacting human health and quality of life.
• Modern lifestyles in concrete environments contribute to psycho-physiological health issues, increasing the demand for nature immersion.
• Forest therapy has emerged as a vital preventive and alternative approach to mitigate stress and improve well-being through nature exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review forest therapy activities in China.
• To discuss commonalities and differences among various forest therapy approaches.
• To summarize current research and industry development in forest therapy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of forest therapy activities in China.
• Comparative analysis of different forest therapy types.
• Synthesis of research findings and industry trends.

Main Results:

• Forest therapy is gaining traction as a response to urban-induced health problems.
• Analysis reveals distinct characteristics and shared principles across Chinese forest therapy practices.
• Significant progress has been made in basic research and industry development, though challenges remain.

Conclusions:

• Forest therapy presents a promising avenue for enhancing public health and well-being in urbanized societies.
• Further research and strategic development are crucial for optimizing the benefits and widespread adoption of forest therapy.
• Addressing existing challenges will be key to unlocking the full potential of forest therapy in China and beyond.